Archival vows to complete Pulangbato bridge construction

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has reiterated his administration’s commitment to finish the Pulangbato bridge, a project that began under previous administrations but stalled due to contractor failures and land ownership disputes.

Archival’s chief of staff, Kenneth Siasar, confirmed that the city is addressing property claims at the bridge’s northern end, with Councilor Alvin Arcilla tasked to meet with claimants and pursue expropriation if necessary.

Archival, who has been conducting site visits along the Candarong Pulangbato Road, stressed that construction continues even at night to fast track progress.

“This is our commitment: dili lang ta mo check, molihok gyud ta,” he said, urging motorists and pedestrians to observe safety advisories while work is ongoing.

The Pulangbato Bridge was destroyed during Typhoon Odette in December 2021, leaving upland barangays reliant on makeshift bamboo footbridges and unsafe river crossings.

In 2023, the city awarded a P24 million contract to SBD Builders Inc., but the firm reportedly delivered only 36.02 percent of the work despite extensions, citing lack of equipment.

By October 2024, the Pulangbato Barangay Council declared a state of emergency, and the City Council terminated the contract after P7 million had already been released as down payment.

In 2025, the city approved P28 million in additional funding due to rising material costs and awarded the project to SJ Bonifacio Builders.

Archival led the groundbreaking on August 20, 2025, and directed the new contractor to work double shifts to finish within four months, aiming for completion by December 2025.

The project’s continuity has been complicated by property disputes.

Private claimants have surfaced, raising questions about whether due diligence was properly observed before construction began.

Archival’s administration has acknowledged that if ownership is validated, expropriation proceedings will be pursued to secure the right of way. (CEBU NEWS)